Arcoona Consulting and Proud Mary Consulting are sibling firms:

• Arcoona is a law firm with a focus on renewable energy, climate and resources, and
• Proud Mary is a consulting firm focusing on water, energy and natural resource management, in the broader context of its work on a range of public policy matters for its clients. 

We are seeking a motivated and inquisitive one-to-two-year PQE lawyer / consultant to join our small, dynamic team.

Arcoona creates value by advising market participants, government agencies, statutory corporations and private clients on legal, risk, compliance, policy and governance matters in the fields of renewable energy, climate and resources.

Proud Mary creates public value with clients through advising on policy, strategy, governance and public administration in relation to water, climate change, energy, environment and sustainability. Clients include local, state and commonwealth government agencies and water corporations.

Recent projects include:

• Advising a number of national renewable energy developers, including on general commercial, project registration/connection, construction, offtake, finance and property transactions, in relation to battery, solar, wind and hydro projects.
• Supporting the Australian Energy Market Operator to implement rule changes in the National Electricity Market.
• Customer and stakeholder engagement for a Victorian water corporation.
• Preparing an environment strategy for a local council.
• Implementing a planning and environmental compliance project for an industrial products company.
• Governance support to a small energy company, Zero Emissions Water 

The position provides exposure to a variety of professional contexts, organisations and their senior staff, disciplines and systems. This is an excellent opportunity for an early career professional wanting to gain experience and skills in a range of areas. 

Our team is in Victoria, and we work remotely most of the time. You will work from home on most days, a co-working space in inner Melbourne once a week, and clients’ premises from time to time. You will need to provide your own computer, phone and home workspace. 

Key Duties

The position’s duties include the following tasks under the direction and supervision of our Principal Consultants:

• Undertaking legal analysis and preparing advice on a wide range of energy, climate and resources matters, focused on commercial law support to renewable energy developers, including on contractual matters.
• Working on a range of consulting projects, conducting research, client liaison, stakeholder interviews, and report writing.
• Preparing funding and other proposals, submissions and presentations.

Why work with us?

We provide a unique opportunity to join a mixed legal and consulting practice that will provide you with:

• a stimulating range of work,
• varied and interesting work that supports good public outcomes,
• supportive working relationships with our senior staff, and
• a genuine 38-hour working week.

About You

We are looking for an enthusiastic early career lawyer, with a strong interest in energy, the environment, and natural resource management policy who is looking to develop a range of professional skills.  You will have well developed legal skills and skills in:

• research and analysis,

• written communication, including client report writing, and
• project management.

The role is varied, for example you may be required to provide legal advice on a client matter, Board governance support, arrange interviews and draft a research report in the same week. You must be adaptable and comfortable working with competing deadlines in busy periods, and self-starting in quieter times.

Selection Criteria

You must be:

• Collaborative: You need strong communication and relationship building skills that you can apply in an online format with team staff and clients.
• Inquisitive: You must be curious! You need to want to learn about a wide range of issues, including energy, water, governance and public policy.
• Analytical: You must have well developed research and analytical skills.
• Organised: You must be able to manage your time effectively, plan your own workload, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
• Self-driven: Once provided with the task description and information sources, you will be expected to work reasonably autonomously.
• A great writer: You must be able to write high-quality material adapted for the project and readers.
• Tertiary qualified in law (and admitted to practice) and preferably another discipline such as environment, social science, policy, science, or another related and relevant degree.
• Proficient in using the MS Suite.

Conditions

This is a full-time position based in Melbourne.

The salary is $80-85,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus superannuation. The contract is for one year, commencing on or around 5 May 2025, with the opportunity for contract extension. The successful candidate will be subject to a three-month probation period.